By Shobha Sekhar

Twin brothers - Ramnath Iyer and Gopinath Iyer, as young kids were drawn to the sounds of veena emanating from next door and had to convince their father that they would learn to play on the veena without diminishing their focus on academic grades. As dedicated disciples of veena maestros R. Pichumani Iyer and Trivandrum R. Venkataraman, their musical journey has been marked by rigorous training and a profound commitment to their art. Melbourne-based twin brothers Ramnath Iyer and Gopinath Iyer, widely recognized as the Iyer Brothers, have made a profound mark as vainikas.  

Ramnath Iyer has been a resident of Melbourne since 1986, during which time he has collaborated with numerous visiting professional musicians from India, including flute maestro N. Ramani. His contributions to Indian music in Australia have been significant, serving as a peer specialist for the Australia Council since 1996. In 2002, he was an adjudicator for veena at the third biennial Indian music competition held by the National Arts Council of Singapore, reflecting his esteemed position in the global music community.

Before moving to Australia in 1993, Gopinath Iyer lived in New Zealand, where he had an extensive performing career. His notable appearances include performances on Wellington Access Radio, Victoria University Twin Strings: Celebrating 50 years of the Iyer Brothers Shobha Sekhar of Wellington, and the NZ Academy of Bharatanatyam. In 1992, he participated in a workshop with violin maestro L. Subramaniam during the Asia Pacific Festival in Wellington, showcasing his versatility and expertise.

Since 1994, the brothers have been performing together, captivating audiences in various centres around Australia and overseas. Their notable performances include the Four Winds Festival at Bermagui in 1995, the Australian Institute of Eastern Music in Sydney in 1997 and 1999, the Port Fairy Folk Festival in 1999, and WOMADelaide in 2001. They have also performed at The Boite from 1999 to 2007, SIFAS in Singapore in 1998, the ACT National Multicultural Festival in Canberra in 1998, and the Australian National Folk Festival in 2004. Their performance projects received funding from the Australia Council and Arts Victoria in 1994, 1995, and 1997, further highlighting their impact on the cultural scene.

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